Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 9 January, 2022
“… walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Eph. 5:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM – Prof. B. Gritters
The Great Commandments: To Love [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:43-48; 22:23-46
Text: Matthew 22:37-40
I. What Is Required Toward God
II. What Is Required Toward My Neighbour
III. What Is Required That I Learn
Psalms: 18:1-2,16-19; 16:1-6; 73:23-28; 133:1-3
Evening Service – 6:00 PM – Prof. B. Gritters
Grace’s Explanation of the Christian [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 15:1-22
Text: I Corinthians 15:10
I. Grace’s Meaning
II. Grace’s Effects
III. Grace’s Calling
Psalms: 116:1-8; 16:7-11; 66:12-20; 51:8-15
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders
CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Prof. Gritters and Elder Sid Miedema. Prof. Gritters will be preaching at both services today. If you would like to have the church visitors at your house for dinner, please sign up on the schedule on the back table.
Standard Bearers are available for subscribers. A letter from the Philippines is also on the back table.
Prof. Engelsma’s book, The Church’s Hope, vol. 1, is now available in the bookstore for just £15.
Ariana was admitted to Antrim Hospital with severe pain due to gall stones. Because the stones are in a duct, she will likely have surgery or another procedure to remove them in the next few days. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
The Council received and approved a request from Sam & Anga Watterson for the baptism of their newborn son, Jeremy William. The baptism is scheduled for next Lord’s day morning, 16 January.
Monday catechism classes:
5:00 PM: Jason, Maisie & Sebastian (Juniors NT)
5:45 PM: Eleanora, Felicity, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope, Sammy, Somaya, Sophie, Xander & Yossef (Beginners OT, Book 2)
6:30 PM: Angelica, Bradley, Jack, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Heidelberg, Book 1)
7:15 PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
The Council meets with the church visitors tomorrow night at 8:00 PM.
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet this week. Prof. Gritters will lead a discussion on Exodus 19 (cf. Heb. 12:18-29).
Prof. Gritters will be giving a lecture entitled, “Being the Hand of God: Godly Parenting in an Ungodly World,” this Wednesday, 12 January at 7:30 PM. Plan to attend, and invite your friends and family.
Membership Class: Thursday, 11 AM with the Goulds.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is entitled, “The Faith of Moses’ Parents” (Heb. 11:23).
The dates for the Lord’s Supper in 2022 are as follows: 27 March, 26 June, 25 September, 25 December (the last Sunday of the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months).
Offerings: General Fund: £1,286. Donations: £10 (Wales), £200 (England), £200 (Scotland).
Translation Additions: 2 Hungarian, 1 Polish and 1 Russian.
PRC News: Heritage PRC has a trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. Barnhill, Guichelaar and Marcus. Hudsonville PRC will call from a trio of Revs. Barnhill, Kortus and J. Laning. Rev. D. Holstege will be installed as pastor of Wingham PRC today.
Questions for Church Visitation
As part of our sister-church relationship, the CPRC asks that the PRC send over a delegation to do church visitation, a practice done in their own denomination according to Church Order, article 44: “The classis shall authorize at least two … to visit all the churches once a year and to take heed whether the minister and the consistory faithfully perform the duties of their office, adhere to sound doctrine, observe in all things the adopted order, and properly promote as much as lies in them, through word and deed, the upbuilding of the congregation, in particular of the youth, to the end that they may in time fraternally admonish those who have in anything been negligent, and may by their advice and assistance help direct all things unto the peace, upbuilding, and greatest profit of the churches …”
Questions to the Full Consistory
- Is the Word administered at least twice on the Lord’s day?
- Is the Heidelberg Catechism regularly explained in the services for divine worship, so that no doctrine is left untreated?
- In the reading services, are sermons used as much as possible which are produced in our own circle?
- Is the Lord’s Supper celebrated at least four times a year, preceded by a preparatory sermon and followed by an applicatory sermon?
- Does the consistory see to it that catechism classes are regularly conducted? Does the consistory determine the material for instruction? And does it see to it that the classes are regularly attended?
- Are consistory members chosen in agreement with the rules of the Church Order?
- Does the consistory meet regularly in accord with the needs of the congregation, at least once a month?
- Are all matters coming before the consistory treated according to our Church Order, and are the minutes properly recorded and kept?
- Is censura morum conducted among the members of the consistory before each Lord’s Supper?
- Is family visitation conducted faithfully, so that each family receives an official visit once a year?
- Is church discipline faithfully exercised according to God’s Word and the Church Order?
- Is the consistory aware whether there are members of secret organisations in the congregation, and if so, is church discipline applied to them?
- What is the spiritual condition of the congregation? Is there unity, peace, and love?
- Do the children of the congregation, when they come to years of discretion, seek admission to the Lord’s Supper? And if they are remiss, are they pointed to their obligation and treated as the need requires?
- Is the congregation busy in the extension of God’s kingdom, especially in the promotion of missions, to the best of its ability?
- Are the synodical assessments faithfully paid, in agreement with the stipulated regulations?
- Are the funds of the church and the poor fund and all proofs of possessions kept in a safe place so that no occasion is given for mistrust nor difficulties can arise on leave of office or death, and is the congregation properly incorporated with the State? Are the archives in order?
- Does the consistory see to it that the parents send their children to the Christian school?
- Are the Forms of Unity signed by all the members of the consistory, the ministers, elders, and deacons?
Questions to the Elders and Deacons in the Absence of the Minister
- Does the minister in the preaching and in the administration of the sacraments do his work faithfully according to the Word of God, the Forms of Unity, and the Church Order?
- Does the minister faithfully explain God’s Word so that the congregation is built up through his preaching?
- Does he regularly conduct the catechism classes, visit the sick faithfully, and take part in family visitation?
- Does the minister reveal himself as a worthy example?
- Is he devoted as much as possible to the exercise of his office?
- Does he receive sufficient income to take care of the needs of his family, taking in consideration the character of his work?
Questions to the Minister and the Deacons in the Absence of the Elders
- Do the elders regularly attend the services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings?
- Do they at set times attend the catechism classes to see how they are conducted and attended; and do they assist the minister when the need requires it in catechising?
- Do they see to it that Christian discipline is exercised, and that everything is done honourably and in good order?
- Do the elders visit the sick and others in agreement with the calling of their office?
- Do they try to prevent and remove all offence in the congregation, and try to comfort and instruct the members?
- Do they conduct themselves as examples to the congregation in their family and outward walk of life?
Questions to the Minister and Elders in the Absence of the Deacons
- Do the deacons attend regularly the services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings; and in case such meetings are held, do they also attend deacons’ meetings?
- Are they diligent in the collecting of the alms, and do they faithfully realise their calling in the care and comfort of the poor and oppressed?
- Are the collections counted in the presence of the minister or one or more of the elders?
- Do they administer the finances wisely, in consultation with the minister and the consistory?
- Do they, in their family and outward life and walk, reveal themselves as exemplary Christians?
